Abstract We introduce a new framework called Machine Learning (ML) based Auroral Ionospheric electrodynamics Model (ML‐AIM). ML‐AIM solves a current continuity equation by utilizing the ML model of Field Aligned Currents of Kunduri et al. (2020,https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA027908), the FAC‐derived auroral conductance model of Robinson et al. (2020,https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028008), and the solar irradiance conductance model of Moen and Brekke (1993,https://doi.org/10.1029/92gl02109). The ML‐AIM inputs are 60‐min time histories of solar wind plasma, interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF), and geomagnetic indices, and its outputs are ionospheric electric potential, electric fields, Pedersen/Hall currents, and Joule Heating. We conduct two ML‐AIM simulations for a weak geomagnetic activity interval on 14 May 2013 and a geomagnetic storm on 7–8 September 2017. ML‐AIM produces physically accurate ionospheric potential patterns such as the two‐cell convection pattern and the enhancement of electric potentials during active times. The cross polar cap potentials (ΦPC) from ML‐AIM, the Weimer (2005,https://doi.org/10.1029/2004ja010884) model, and the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) data‐assimilated potentials, are compared to the ones from 3204 polar crossings of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program F17 satellite, showing better performance of ML‐AIM than others. ML‐AIM is unique and innovative because it predicts ionospheric responses to the time‐varying solar wind and geomagnetic conditions, while the other traditional empirical models like Weimer (2005,https://doi.org/10.1029/2004ja010884) designed to provide a quasi‐static ionospheric condition under quasi‐steady solar wind/IMF conditions. Plans are underway to improve ML‐AIM performance by including a fully ML network of models of aurora precipitation and ionospheric conductance, targeting its characterization of geomagnetically active times.
more »
« less
Red Line Diffuse‐Like Aurora Driven by Time Domain Structures Associated With Braking Magnetotail Flow Bursts
Abstract Magnetotail earthward‐propagating fast plasma flows provide important pathways for magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling. This study reexamines a flow‐related red‐line diffuse‐like aurora event previously reported by Liang et al. (2011,https://doi.org/10.1029/2010ja015867), utilizing THEMIS and ground‐based auroral observations from Poker Flat. We find that time domain structures (TDSs) within the flow bursts efficiently drive electron precipitation below a few keV, aligning with predominantly red‐line auroral intensifications in this non‐substorm event. The diffuse‐like auroras sometimes coexisted with or potentially evolved from discrete forms. We forward model red‐line diffuse auroras due to TDS‐driven precipitation, employing the time‐dependent TREx‐ATM auroral transport code. The good correlation (∼0.77) between our modeled and observed red line emissions underscores that TDSs are a primary driver of the red‐line diffuse‐like auroras, though whistler‐mode wave contributions are needed to fully explain the most intense red‐line emissions.
more »
« less
- Award ID(s):
- 2247034
- PAR ID:
- 10510676
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Geophysical Research Letters
- Volume:
- 51
- Issue:
- 10
- ISSN:
- 0094-8276
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
More Like this
-
-
Abstract We present a revision and update to the high‐precision relocated seismicity catalog presented by Matoza et al. (2021,https://doi.org/10.1029/2020ea001253) for the Island of Hawai'i from 1986 to 2018. The starting catalog of hypocenters (input data), on which the study by Matoza et al. (2021,https://doi.org/10.1029/2020ea001253) was based, contained an inconsistent depth datum for events before and after 00:00 UT, 29 December 2017. Here we present a recomputed version of the catalog using a consistent reference depth. We corrected the starting catalog to a common depth datum (all events now use the model depth reference datum) and re‐ran the entire workflow as described in the paper by Matoza et al. (2021,https://doi.org/10.1029/2020ea001253). This included pairing, cross‐correlating, and relocating all seismic events again based on the updated starting catalog. We consider 347,446 events representing 32 years of seismicity on and around the island from 1986 to 2018. We now successfully relocate 299,966 (86%) events using ∼2.53 billion differential times (PandS) from ∼194 million similar‐event pairs, derived from cross‐correlations between ∼887 million event pairs total, a significant increase from our original analysis. The resolution of fine‐scale seismicity features is improved and the median depth of shallow events (<5 km) under Kaluapele (Kīlauea summit caldera) in 2018 is shifted 926 m deeper as a result of the change. The interpretations and other major conclusions in the paper by Matoza et al. (2021,https://doi.org/10.1029/2020ea001253) are unchanged.more » « less
-
Abstract We report on the mountain top observation of three terrestrial gamma‐ray flashes (TGFs) that occurred during the summer storm season of 2021. To our knowledge, these are the first TGFs observed in a mountaintop environment and the first published European TGFs observed from the ground. A gamma‐ray sensitive detector was located at the base of the Säntis Tower in Switzerland and observed three unique TGF events with coincident radio sferic data characteristic of TGFs seen from space. We will show an example of a “slow pulse” radio signature (Cummer et al., 2011,https://doi.org/10.1029/2011GL048099; Lu et al., 2011,https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JA016141; Pu et al., 2019,https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL082743; Pu et al., 2020,https://doi.org/10.1029/2020GL089427), a −EIP (Lyu et al., 2016,https://doi.org/10.1002/2016GL070154; Lyu et al., 2021,https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL093627; Wada et al., 2020,https://doi.org/10.1029/2019JD031730), and a double peak TGF associated with an extraordinarily powerful and complicated positive‐polarity sferic, where each TGF peak is possibly preceded by a short burst of stepped leader emission.more » « less
-
Abstract We show that atmospheric gravity waves can generate plasma ducts and irregularities in the plasmasphere using the coupled SAMI3/WACCM‐X model. We find the equatorial electron density is irregular as a function of longitude which is consistent with CRRES measurements (Clilverd et al., 2007,https://doi.org/10.1029/2007ja012416). We also find that plasma ducts can be generated forL‐shells in the range 1.5–3.0 with lifetimes of ∼ 0.5 hr; this is in line with observations of ducted VLF wave propagation with lifetimes of 0.5–2.0 hr (Clilverd et al., 2008,https://doi.org/10.1029/2007ja012602; Singh et al., 1998,https://doi.org/10.1016/s1364-6826(98)00001-7).more » « less
-
Abstract Terrestrial gamma ray flashes (TGFs) are high‐energy photon bursts that have been linked to short bursts of electromagnetic radiation associated with lightning activity. The most puzzling unexplained aspect of these events is that gamma rays originate from very compact regions of space while the source regions often seem to be optically dim and radio silent when compared to processes in ordinary lightning discharges. In this work, we report a mechanism that allows precise quantitative explanation of these peculiar features of TGFs and their relationships to the observed waveform characteristics of associated radio emissions. The mechanism represents an extension of earlier ideas on feedback processes in growth of relativistic runaway electron avalanches (Dwyer, 2003,https://doi.org/10.1029/2003GL017781), and is based on a recent demonstration of the dominant role of the photoelectric feedback on compact spatial scales (Pasko, Celestin, et al., 2023,https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL102710). Since discussed events often occur in isolation or precede formation of lightning discharges, the reported findings propose a straightforward solution for the long‐standing problem of lightning initiation.more » « less
An official website of the United States government

